[Poster's note: International and other articles already sent out to the east-timor list (info@etan.org) have been removed from below.]

UNOTIL

Daily Media Review

Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and international sources

Tuesday 1 August 2006

National Media Reports

PM Ramos Horta: Don’t Obstruct justice or International troops

In response to the protestors who demand the release of Alfredo, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta told the media that Alfredo’s case is now in the hands of justice as is the case of former Minister of Interior Rogerio Tiago Lobato. Horta appealed to Alfredo’s supporters who want to protest on the street to free Alfredo that they do not obstruct the justice and if they do so it means they are against state and international troops. “People insist on justice and let’s not interfere with justice. I appeal to all of you to trust the justice system and also to trust the international commission inquiries to do their job” said Horta.

MP from UDT party Alexandre Corte-Real asks Australian troops to take responsibility for the military equipment that they took from Major Alfredo because during the crisis Australian troops are the ones who guard him and his group. According to Corte-Real, Alfredo is still part of the F-FDTL. (STL, DN)

PM Horta presents Government’s programs to PN

Prime Minister Ramos Horta presented the government’s programs and budget plan for fiscal year 2006/2007 to National Parliament yesterday. Horta said that the programs he presented to National Parliament are based on a national development plan which majority of Fretilin parliamentarian defends and represents people’s vision. Horta further stated that the objectives of the government plans are to create national reconciliation and humanitarian programs, also for reformation of institutions of PNTL and F-FDTL to maintain stability in this country.

In a separate article, MP from Democratic Party Mariano Sabino said that the programs of the government presented by Prime Minister Ramos Horta were good but to implement the programs in nine months is impossible. Sabino said that fiscal year budget 2006/2007 is really big but it spends most to structure of the government not the people. “We think better to minimize the ministries so that the money could spend effectively in development and for people’s need” said Sabino.

MP from UDT party Queteria da Costa told the media at National Parliament that the budget for fiscal year 2006/2007 is big but will the government implement it? If not don’t make people dream in the afternoon. “There are many programs from the government but we don’t know which the priority is for the people, especially in the crisis situation.” Said Queteria. She said that according to the constitution this government has mandate only for nine months so it is hard to implement all the programs. (DN, STL)

Alcino Barris: Guns for PNTL together 2.483 + Paulo Martins still the commander of PNTL

Minister of Interior Alcino Barris told the media at National Parliament after National budget discussion that PNTL has 2.483 big guns and more than 2000 pistols. Barris said that he still doesn’t know how many members of PNTL have already handed weapons to international troops because international troops are still doing inspection of all weapons in Timor-Leste. “The inspection started from Maliana, Ermera, Liquica and other districts on how many guns still in the hands of members of PNTL” said Barris. He appealed to all members of PNTL or civilians who still carry weapons to hand them over to international troops or National Police headquarters. “It is a crime if any members of PNTL does not want to hand over weapons and we will process them according to law” said Barris.

In response to reformation of PNTL, Barris said that Paulo Martins is still the commander of PNTL “if no reformations in PNTL, Paulo Martins still the commander under old PNTL structure” said Barris. (STL)

“Coalition of PSD, ASDT & PD for election 2007”: Joao Goncalves + Alfredo’s case is different to Mari and Rogerio

Secretary-General of Social Democrat Party (PSD) Joao Goncalves told DN reporter that PSD, ASDT and PD will have coalition parties for general election in 2007 because the leaders have capacity to run the country. “We want a coalition not just because our party has great program but the leaders have capacity to implement the program when we win the election’ said Goncalves. He said that PSD and ASDT already have an agreement and still waiting for PD to joint them. He believes that if it happens in the general election in 2007 they will get a high percentage of vote but it depends on the people. “In the reality it depends on the people which political party they would vote but if they vote for PSD to win the general election 2007, PSD would put national and people’s interest first above everything” Goncalves, added.

In response to Alfredo’s detention, Goncalves said that Alfredo’s case is different to Mari and Rogerio because both of them only allegations but Alfredo was carrying weapons. “I was so surprised when I heard that international troops captured Alfredo with weapons in his house because Alfredo himself already declared in Maubisse that he and his followers already handed over their weapons but why they still have it?” He asked.

MUN gives proposal to Prime Minister

Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta visited demonstrators who called themselves as National Unity Movement (MUN) in Matadouro, Dili. In his visit, MUN gave its proposal to the Prime Minister to maintain national unity in Timor Leste. Horta told the demonstrators that to build the nation we have to avoid any kind of violence because we won’t gain anything from it. “I support the initiatives of MUN to promote national unity and avoid any kind of violence” said Horta. He further explains that as the head of the government, the door is always open for the poor people because the policy of this government is to try to reduce poverty in this country. (DN)

RTTL News headlines

31-08-2006

Budget and Programs presentation

The Prime Minister, Jose Ramos Horta presented his government programs and the annual budget for 2006/07 financial year, which amounts to $315 m on Monday. Speaking to journalists after his presentation, PM Horta stated that with good cooperation with the National Parliament, Civil Society groups, Church, NGOs and the traditional institutions, much will be achieved. Meanwhile, Parliamentary benches had reacted positively to the programs but questioned the execution and implementation, RTTL reported.

Independent institutions are crucial: PD

Speaking at the Parliament during the government presentation, Mariano Sabino MP of the Democratic Party stressed the importance of institutions such as Public Broadcasting Service, PNTL, and F-FDTL to be free of outside interference. Sabino added that anyone in the structure of any political party should not hold any position within these institutions.

ASEAN meetings positive

Speaking at a press conference at the Dili airport upon his return on Monday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jose Luis Guterres said that the ASEAN meetings he had attended in Malaysia were positive. Guterres also announced that Dili was going to host a trilateral meeting between Australia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste in August. Furthermore, FM Guterres called on every element of the society to help in improving the image of TL overseas.

Reform within PNTL needed: Barris

Speaking to journalists after the presentation by the Prime Minister at the National Parliament, the Interior Minister, Alcino Barris said that there was a need for reform within the PNTL in order to strengthen the police force. Barris stated, though, that any reform should be based on a proper evaluation.

International News

East Timor plans to stimulate economy and help poor

East Timor's Prime Minister, Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, has presented the government's plans for the next year to parliament.

The main platform of the document is a commitment to help the poor.

Wendy McGuinness reports.

The budget for this financial year has increased more than 100-percent and there has been a 300-percent increase in the amount of money pledged by international donors.

Dr Ramos Horta says it's time to help the poor of East Timor, which he says make up the vast majority.

To that end, money will be invested in reconstructing the houses damaged or destroyed during the May unrest.

The government also plans to stimulate the economy by creating employment with projects, such as rural roads, hospitals and schools in several areas. There will be 400 new infrastructure projects around the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries will also receive a special fund aimed at developing initiatives in rural areas.

The prime minister pledged that the program will be implemented under strict adherence to the principles of transparency and fiscal responsibility.

(ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia)

National News Sources

Timor Post (TP) Radio Timor-Leste (RTL) Suara Timor Lorosae (STL) Diario Tempo (DT) Diario Nacional Seminario Lia Foun (LF) Televisaun Timor-Leste [TVTL]

These Items Do Not Reflect the Position or Views of the United Nations. UNOTIL Public Information Office

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